Health Care Reform

Two thoughts about health care reform:

Is it possible that the Republicans who have not supported health care reform will pay with lost votes back home? It is not just Democrats in the country that want change.

Because of her willingness to vote for the bill is Olympia Snowe The Last Sane Republican?

Smartest Cities

From The Daily Beast a list of what they believe to be the 55 smartest cities in the country. Of course my city did not make the list which surprises or maybe does not surprise me. Anyway the criteria they use is interesting, they consider items like number of college degrees of residents, non-fiction book sales, political engagement. I am not sure how scientific it is but it was an interesting read, number one is Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.

Americas Smartest Cities-From First to Worst

Has it really been over a month since I posted?

I guess so, I still see interesting things but wish I had more time to surf and post. Here is was has caught my eye recently:

This is depressing - Alternative Energy Projects Stumble on a Need for Water

Have you been watching the PBS mini series The National Parks: America's Best Idea? It consists of six, 2 hour episodes and tells the history of our national parks. It started Sunday night and airs every night from 8-10:00 till Friday. It has been fascinating to watch and makes me glad I have both a high definition TV and FiOS!

I have also been sucked into another FX show, Sons of Anarchy. What am I a closet biker? The characters are interesting and so is the dialog. I recently read that the major networks are making less and less dramas because of the cost. To keep competitive they keep recycling shows (NBC with 2 nights of SNL) and/or creating more reality shows. What this means for me is that I watch other networks who have dramas. How can FX create dramas and make money but the major networks are not able to do so?

Do you see those very small people in the lower part of the picture, I hope that is me in April.

A Honda Chopper?

Yep, that's a Honda!

A Chopper in Looks but a Honda Inside

The Lockerbie Bomber part 2

It may be that I was very naive about the truth behind the release of the Lockerbie bomber.

"Nobody has yet proved that the British government struck a deal with Tripoli—the return of the bomber for lucrative contracts with the oil-rich Libyans—but the circumstantial evidence that something was going on behind the scenes is growing daily. There is a bad smell in London that no amount of official spin can dissipate—and the cast of characters that might have been involved in any deal would not be out of place in a Bond movie".

Why the Lockerbie Bomber Was Freed

Interesting article about heatlh care around world

Opinion piece from Noble Prize winner in Economics Paul Krugman

"Let’s talk about health care around the advanced world. Every wealthy country other than the United States guarantees essential care to all its citizens. There are, however, wide variations in the specifics, with three main approaches taken."

The Swiss Menace

Lockerbie Convict Release

I am not sure how I feel about the release of the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing. On the one hand he showed no compassion for his 270 victims, on the other hand have we become like him if we do not show compassion? Is his release a lesson for us all?

Scotland Lets Lockerbie Convict Return to Libya

8/21 - The hero's welcome for this convict has me both angry and discouraged, taking the moral high ground can be very trying.

Worried

This whole summer break and health care reform has me worried. The tone of the conversation has changed to anger and the voices that seem to be missing from the conversation are those who support some type of universal coverage. The missing voice is from those who voted Obama and many other democrats into office.
I do not know the best way to provide coverage for those in our country who can not afford it but surely there are few among us who believe it is OK for them to go without a basic need like this.

We can afford universal health care coverage

and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

"The Congressional Budget Office has looked at the future of American health insurance, and it works."

HELP Is on the Way

So very busy lately

Random thoughts:

The long 4th of July weekend tired me out.

I am still shocked by the attention Michael Jackson is getting. I am also shocked that in a news clip this morning I saw his young daughter on stage at the funeral, who puts a 10 year old on stage just after they have lost their father?

I wish it were just a little warmer here in Buffalo.

Feeling age catching up with me, parents and aunts getting older and in some cases sick.

Trying to think of a good spot for a cheap late summer vacation.

Have you been watching Nurse Jackie on Showtime? OMG - this show can make me laugh and cry.

How about Rescue Me on FX? This has the makings of a Showtime or HBO series and it makes me laugh too.

I am looking forward to attending a lecture this evening called Design Matters from a UB School of Architecture and Planning professor. The lecture is part of the UB This Summer program, and is FREE!

Art Gallery of Ontario

Amazing interior shot of the stairwell I happily climbed.

Nissan Cube

I don't want one but I love the look.

Bulldog in a Box, in Shades

Art Gallery of Ontario

What you see is the renovation of the gallery done by Frank Gehry (yes Gehry!), the inside is spectacular. To me this is a must see for anyone visiting Toronto, the gallery collection is wonderful and enormous. While at the gallery I also recommend visiting The Grange, the home that was donated to house the gallery in 1911. There is an archeological dig going on by the Anthropological Services of Ontario of the home that is very unusual. I am already planning my trip back for another visit.

The Office White House Flickr Site

I wish I could include one of the awesome photos. I hope you are able to take a look, all I can do is smile. (via jerry)

The Official White House Photostream's photostream

Cap and Trade Explained in Simple Terms

I believe Paul Krugman is very good at taking complicated issues and simplifying them, like he does in this Opinion piece about Cap and Trade:

The Perfect, the Good, the Planet